Fresh wind slabs are sitting on top of buried wind slabs that are sitting on facets (weak, sugary snow). The fresh wind slabs are touchy and the buried wind slabs may remain reactive to human triggers longer than is typical for this region.
Summary
Confidence
High - The weather pattern is stable
Weather Forecast
TUESDAY NIGHT: Clear / Light to moderate, northeasterly winds / Alpine low -14.WEDNESDAY: Sunny / Light, northeasterly winds / Alpine high -10.THURSDAY: Sunny / Light, northerly winds / Alpine high -10.FRIDAY: Sunny / Light, northwesterly winds / Alpine high -20.
Avalanche Summary
On February 16th, a persistent slab avalanche was triggered by a skier on a north aspect on a 30 degree slope.
Check out the MIN report here. These kinds of avalanches have become less frequent, but they are still possible to human trigger in specific locations and the consequences can be high.
Snowpack Summary
Moderate to strong northerly ridge-top winds on Monday created fresh wind slabs on lee features at treeline and above. Additionally, there are buried wind slabs on a variety of aspects that are sitting on facets (sugary snow) which may cause them to remain reactive to human triggers longer than what is typical for a wind slab problem in this region.A weak layer that was buried in mid January is down 30-60 cm. This layer consists of surface hoar (weak, feathery crystals) and facets. The layer also likely consists of a crust on south facing slopes. Avalanche activity on this layer has slowed, but test results, and recent observations of whumphing still indicate that this layer may still be possible for humans to trigger in specific locations. It has been most reactive at treeline and below treeline.The lower snowpack is generally considered to be strong, except for shallow, rocky areas where the cold temperatures continue to facet (weaken) the snowpack.
jsmith,
Avalanche Canada
